- Pressure washer nozzles vary in intensity for different tasks, but the red zero-degree nozzle can deliver forces up to 80 times more powerful than a garden hose, causing serious skin lacerations and internal injuries.
- The yellow 15-degree nozzle effectively handles stubborn stains like oil on driveways, while white and green nozzles safely clean most outdoor surfaces without damage.
- Essential pressure washer safety measures include wearing protective gear, maintaining proper distance from surfaces, using grounded outlets, and keeping children and pets away from operation areas.
This time of year, I pull out my pressure washer practically every weekend for one outdoor cleaning task or another, from cleaning my deck to washing the car. Pressure washers come with a variety of nozzles designed for different jobs—the white, 40-degree nozzle that’s gentle enough for a car’s finish; the green, 25-degree nozzle that’s good for cleaning metal furniture; and the yellow, 15-degree nozzle that’s reserved for harder surfaces, like a concrete driveway or brick patio.
Then there’s the red, zero-degree nozzle.
This one I never reach for and my advice to consumers is to do the same. In fact, I tell friends and family who are making their first pressure washer purchase to go ahead and toss the red nozzle in the trash. Why? Because, as tests in the Good Housekeeping Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab have found, the force of its highly concentrated stream is up to 80 times more powerful than that of a standard garden hose, which is enough to cause serious skin lacerations, as well as internal injuries. If you don’t believe me, check this Reddit thread, with reports of people losing an eyeball and nearly taking their toe off while pressure washing the driveway while barefoot.
Even if you don’t point the zero-degree nozzle at your eye or your big toe, its intense force will damage many surfaces, ripping to shreds a soft wood deck or destroying the finish on outdoor furniture. On those rare occasions when I’m dealing with a particularly stubborn stain, like oil on a driveway, the 15-degree nozzle on my pressure washer always gets the job done. Most of the time, I live in the white or green zone, and my pressure washer rarely lets me down.
Other pressure washer safety tips
Skin lacerations are one of the most common causes of pressure washer injuries, but these heavy-duty machines can hurt you in other ways. Here’s how to stay safe:
- Wear protective gear: Safety glasses and closed-toe shoes are essential when operating a pressure washer. I also recommend gloves and long pants to protect your hands and legs.
- Keep your distance: Stand 3 to 4 feet away from the surface you’re cleaning to avoid being struck by any ricocheting objects.
- Never run a pressure washer indoors. This is particularly important with gas-powered pressure washers, since their engines emit carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and deadly gas.
- Prevent shocks. When operating a corded-electric pressure washer, only plug it into a properly grounded outlet that has a GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter.
- Keep kids and pets away. A pressure washer is not a toy. Never let a child operate one, and make sure they, along with any pets, aren’t nearby when you or another adult is pressure washing.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
Source: Home Ideas - goodhousekeeping.com
